The state government of Osun in Nigeria announced they will be instituting a program to provide martial arts training for women and children in an effort to stem gender-based violence in the region.

In a joint effort the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs is working with the Osun Sports Council and the National Association of Women in Sports to start training centers that will offer instruction in karate, kung fu and judo in order to teach self defense skills. Training will be available on the weekend beginning in the state capital of Osogbo but will spread to other parts of the state as qualified instructors become available.